Fencepost



H. c. JONES FENCEPOST Filed Aug. 18. 1925` Aug. 2, 1927.

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Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNlTED STATES vPATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD C. JONES, OF CHICAGQ, ILLINOIS; GEORGE H. JONES ADMINISTRATOR 02E` SAID HAROLD C. JONES, DECEASED.

FENCEPOST.

Application led August 18, 1923. Serial No. 658,046.

rlhis invention relates to improvements iii fence posts, and more particularly to posts used for supporting Wires or wire mesh in the erection of fences and enclosures.

The object of the invention is to provide a strong and durable metallic post of proper design and dimensions to resist the strain placed upon it and further designed to per mit the quick and easy attachment of the wire to the posts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical method of ,erecting fences, which will enable the farmer or land owner to do the worlt, at less cost and without the necessity of digging holes.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in elevation of a section of fence erected with posts embodying the inveiition..

Figure 2 is a perspectivewiew of a portion of a post showing the method of attaching the wire. l

Figure 3 is a view in rear elevation of a section of a post, with a strand of wire attached.

Figure le is a perspective View of the anchor plate, and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the post and anchor plate, the latter taken on line 5-5 of Figure il. f

'llhe posts l, are preferably lengths of rolled steel of l"lm-section having pointed ends for penetrating the ground. Considering a post in its sectional contour it comprises a flange or cross web 2, adapted to extend parallel to or in the plane of the wire, and a transverse flange or base web 3, extending at right angles to the web k2. The websare substantially of the same length' and thickness, although both may be varied if desired. As a preferable formation for the web 3, a marginal enlargement or head 3f" is formed along its edge,-this for the ohvious purpose of increasing the strength of the post and reducing the surface .Contact between wire and post, thereby minimizing the ossibility of corrosion.

A ong the marginal portions of the web 2, and on the side thereof toward the web 3, are rows of lugs or teeth 4.-, spaced apart uniformly by a distance of s ay, onehalf inch, the teeth of each row being disposed opposite each other. Between the teeth are formed notches which aid in anchoring the wire to the post as will presently be described. Extending centrally of the web 2, and along the front face thereof, is a comparatively shallow rib 5, extending the full length of the post.

The foregoing presents the preferred construction for the posts. In Figure l i's illustated the method of applying the wire to the posts, but in order that the same may be clearly understood, a single horizontal strand 6, indicating one of a plurality of the horizontal wires that make up the woven type of fence wire shownin Figure l.

The method of fastening the wires is the same regardless of the form of wire used, as the fastening takes place between the horizontal wires and the posts at the point of intersection. ln setting the posts, the faces of the webs Q, are disposed in the line of the fence, so that the wire has contact with said face, although strictly speaking, the contact is between the rib 5 and the wire, thereby affording a more positive coiinecn tion to the post.

Assuming therefore, that a single wire is being stretched `from post to post, the following method of fastening is followed. A. sup ply-ot short lengths of relatively heavy wire which are bent to provide hooks at one end is provided. These form the fastening mem bers 7. As the wire is stretched across the post at the proper height above the ground, a fastener 7 is hooked over the edge of the web 2, with the hook end engaging between two lugs 4l. immediately above (or below) the wire. rThe free end is then carried diagonally across and over the wire, its extremity being' beiitover the opposite edge of the web 2, and between the lugs 4t, just below (orabove) the wire as shown in 'Figure 3. Each horizontal strand of wire is secured in like man ner throughout the height of each post.

The post is further provided with an an chorl plate 8 secured to the same near its lower end, and located so that its upper edge will reach approximately the depth that the post is to be driven into the ground. The purpose of the anchor plate is to give added stability, and to resist the strains 'tending to shift the position of the post in the ground, or cause it to lean in any direction. The anchor plate is a substantially triangular piece of sheet metal with its shorter edge pointing downwardly. The plate is secured 'dit against the fiat side of the web 2 in the p ane of the fence. The method of attaching the plate to the posts is as follows :v

In forming the plate, a channel 8a is pro-v vided which extends lengthwise thereof. The depth and width, as well as the sectional contour of the channel conforms generally to that of the web 3. Along eit-her side of the channel are rows of holes 8b. The rows and the holes of each row being spaced apart to conform with the spacing of the rteeth t along the edges of the web 3. Thechannel 8a is substantially they width of the bead 3 along the edge of the web 3 and is adapted to lit over the same inthe securing of the plate -to the post. As clearly shown in Figure 5, the holes 8" engage the teeth e adjacent the place of attachment, thus holding the plate against vertical displacement. To further secure the plate, the sides of the channel are bent in around the bead 3a after the plate is fitted in place, this being accomplished by any suitable tool, as by blows with a hammer.' Thus, the anchor plate is secured tc the post withoutthe use of bolts, nuts or other permanent fastening means. Moreover, the method ot attachment permits the lengthwise adjustment et the plate along the post, so that the depth to which the posts are to be driven, or the height of tence desired can be easily taken care of.

A post constructed in t-he manner described, combines the desirable features ot' strength, ease of fastening and securing the wire and adaptability for use under different conditions.

The'fasteningvinembers can be easily supplied roin a suitable grade of ordinary wire, and pliers and a hammer are the only tools necessary for cutting and shaping them, as well as securing them in place. Furthermore,- the post being provided with teethl Leemans throughout its length, the astenings may be made at any point without stretching the wire to register with definitely spaced holes or slots. Nor is the post weakened at its base by the drilling of holes to secure the anchor plates, and the adjustable feature is an advantage in locating the plates at the required distance from the end of the posts.

Having thus described the structure embodying the features of the invention, I claim:

l. A fence postconsisting of a metal bar having a main web and a transverse web arranged in T-form, said transverse web having smooth marginal portions on its outer face and rows of lugs spaced apart along the inner edges thereof, and :forming notches therebetween, adapted to be engaged by tastening members for the purpose described.

2. A fence post consisting of a metal bar ot :iT-section, having a base web and a transverse web, the latter having a relatively smooth out-er face slightly elevated along a central longitudinal line and provided along the edges ot its inner face with rows of projecting lugs spaced apart to forni intermediate notches therebetween for the purpose described.

3. A fence post, consisting ot a bar of T- section having a base web and a cross web, said cross web having a longitudinal central rib extending longitudinally along its outer face with smooth marginal surfaces on either side thereof, and rows of lugs alon the edges of the inner face of said cross we and spaced apart to form notches, the bases of which lie substantially in the plane of said inner face.

ln witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my. name this l5 day of August, A. D. 1923.

HARLD C. JONES. 

